to return the favor
57
2.9
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
devolver el favor
- After you helped me move, I made sure to return the favor by cooking you a nice meal.
And when you, when the Russia went into Afghanistan, we returned the favour and hit them hard like that.
- And when you, when the Russia went into Afghanistan, we returned the favour and hit them hard like that.
- I've I've heard a lot of women relate to this that when it's when it's, you know, the man's turn to return the favor, it just looks a lot different.
Examples
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It's great when you meet people willing to return the favor for you if you help them.
Blog text (2) -
Allow me to return the favor, just this once.
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Now it's time to return the favor.
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It's only fair that I return the favor.
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Now let me return the favor.
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Glad to return the favor.
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Maybe I can return the favor.
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You helped me, I'm returning the favor.
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I'm returning the favor personally.
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So today I wanted to return the favour and do my mom's makeup.
Synonyms
89
2.7
To give something in return for help or kindness
29
6.2
Do something similar in return when someone helps or is kind to you
3
9.9
To give something in return for someone's kindness or help
Antonyms
How Reciprocal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to do something helpful for someone who has done something for you' is directly derivable from combining 'return' (to give back) with 'favor' (a kind action); the definite article 'the' does not alter compositionality. This verb + noun pattern is common cross-linguistically (e.g., Spanish 'devolver el favor'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Return the favor comes from the simple image of giving something back: to return means to give back, and the favor is a kind act someone did for you. So, it now means 'to do something nice' for someone who has helped you.